Fernandez takes commish post

CEBU CITY – Cage great Ramon Fernandez yesterday vowed to push for the creation of more sports facilities in the provinces and at the same time help re-direct the goals and directions of Philippine sports.

The first commissioner to be appointed in the Philippine Sports Commission under president-elect Rodrigo Duterte, the four-time PBA MVP and one of the pro league’s greatest players said he will be working on his “Change the Game” slogan to effect changes and help the athletes in particular and Philippine sports in general.

“I feel humbled and privileged that I would be of help to our athletes and the Philippine sports in general,” said Fernandez in an interview with Cebu sportswriters after he formally accepted his appointment. “Accepting the job is my own way of giving back to the sports what it has brought to me.”

He said he was informed of his appointment by Christopher “Bong” Go, special assistant of Duterte in a phone call last Wednesday afternoon, barely 24 hours after William “Butch” Ramirez accepted Duterte’s offer to return as PSC chairman.

The 62-year-old Fernandez said he used the “Change the Game” theme as his driving force because he feels that it’s about time to change and redirect the strategic goals and directions of Philippine sports.

Under the leadership of Duterte, Fernandez said the country’s sports programs should be consistent with the principles of community empowerment, decentralization and will envision a drug-free community for the youth and children.